Greencast Sweden - FAIRWAY DISEASE PROTECTION
Prolonged periods of extensive snow cover in Nordic winter conditions create a high risk of Microdochium Patch (Fusarium Snow Mould) on all turf surfaces.
Greens and tees are always subjected to high disease pressure and damage unless well protected, but the far larger areas of fairway turf and the more significant visual effect of turf loss can have an even greater impact of delays in course opening, low player satisfaction and increased costs of remedial work to restore surfaces in the spring.
Syngenta Nordics Business Manager, Lars Tveter, reported that protecting fairway turf from disease over the winter ensures better playing conditions in the spring - attracting players out on the course earlier to generate income and reducing the costs of renovation and repair.
"The launch of the innovative bio-inspired fungicide, Medallion TL, now provides greenkeepers and course managers with a turf management programme to protect all their playing surfaces over the winter."
Lars advocated that on greens and tees, which are mown shorter and subjected to greater stress, two sprays of Medallion TL are recommended over the course of the winter to keep premium surfaces clean.
"However, the typically lower disease pressure and lower turf stress on fairways, compared to greens, means that one well-timed Medallion TL spray application can often provide sufficient protection to maintain turf quality through the winter months," he advised.
Factors affecting winter disease risk: | |
Greens & Tees | Fairways |
High risk of Microdochium Patch | Medium risk of Microdochium Patch |
• Turf cut short - 3-5mm | • Longer height of cut - 10-15mm |
• Low carbohydrate reserves | • Greater root and leaf carbohydrate reserves |
• High stress conditions | • Less stressful turf management |
• Higher wear and traffic | • Lower wear and traffic |
Two-spray Medallion TL programme | One-spray Medallion TL programme |
For optimum disease control under Nordic winter conditions, Lars advised Medallion TL should be applied when soil conditions have cooled below 7°C and ahead of the first snow cover.
"Earlier applications of Medallion TL Contact+ activity can give significant benefits, especially when treating greens and tees with a two-spray programme," he added. "Early treatment will reduce pathogen numbers on turf and in the thatch, which will lessen disease pressure and lower the risk of infection.
"Protection is locked onto the leaf and crown of the plant which, combined with the gradual uptake and movement of Medallion TL with any leaf growth, prevents disease infection and has been shown to give exceptional long-lasting results."
Greenkeepers and turf managers can receive up to date advice on control of winter disease - along with a wealth of other valuable turf management advice and information - on the website www.greencast.se
